| Unfortunately most people don't seem to have a clue | | | | run at once, the more RAM you will need. However, |
| what to look for when it comes to buying | | | | don't bother going with any more than 3 GB of RAM, |
| computers. This is probably why my friends and | | | | as that is really not practical, unless you are going to |
| family like to consult with me first before they buy a | | | | be using the computer as a server (which most |
| new PC or laptop. I guess I can't blame people for | | | | people will never be doing). |
| not knowing what to buy nowadays though, | | | | The hard drive capacity is also an important factor, |
| considering how fast computer technology changes | | | | as it determines how much data your computer can |
| from one day to the next. | | | | contain, or how many videos you can have on your |
| So what is the most important factor? Well, that is a | | | | computer, etc. Any program, movie, download, or |
| fairly hard question to answer, and what would be a | | | | files that you place on your computer will take up |
| better question is this: what are the most important | | | | some room on your hard drive. So the more room |
| FACTORS (rather than "factor"). This is because | | | | the better. What I recommend is that a PC have at |
| there are 3 or 4 main things to look for when buying | | | | least a 100 GB hard drive. However, the good news |
| a new computer, if not more. So in other words, just | | | | is that most brand new PC's now come with at least |
| one particular strong point of a new PC means | | | | a 250 GB hard drive, so this shouldn't be much of a |
| relatively very little if the other components are not | | | | problem. |
| up to par. | | | | Lastly, if you want to use your computer for gaming, |
| First and foremost, look at the CPU speed. This helps | | | | then do not buy one with an integrated video card. |
| to determine the over all speed of the entire | | | | Integrated video card computers are horribly slow |
| computer system. Obviously the higher the better, | | | | for gaming, due to the fact that most integrated |
| when it comes to CPU speed. In this day and age, if | | | | video cards don't have their own memory, and have |
| it isn't at LEAST 3 GHZ, then I would not even | | | | to share the actual system memory (RAM). Also, |
| bother with it. However, if it is a dual core CPU | | | | they always tend to be far slower than stand alone |
| setup, then 2 GHZ is plenty, since it will perform | | | | video cards. However, this is ONLY important if you |
| more on the level of a 3+ GHZ PC system. | | | | want to use your PC for start of the art 3-D games. |
| Next look at how much RAM (or memory) that the | | | | If not, then don't worry about it, as it wont even be |
| computer you are interested in buying, has. Any good | | | | a factor. |
| PC has at least 2 GB of RAM nowadays, so do not | | | | While there may be some other minor factors, I |
| settle for any less. The more RAM your PC has, the | | | | have definitely covered the most important things |
| smoother (and faster) things will go when you start | | | | that you need to know when it comes to buying |
| to run more than 3 or 4 programs at once. Basically | | | | computers. Just stick to those general guidelines and |
| the more programs (multi tasking) that you want to | | | | you will be fine. |